Weight article

[Fleur]

I've also been in the position where I've had all kinds of ailments blamed on weight that have nothing to do with weight and boy, does it get frustrating.

However, I've also been in the position where I'm guilty of *thinking* it's going to be blamed on weight and so I've gone in there defensive before I've even told them what's wrong. In some cases, I think perception has a part to play in it.

On the other hand, the specialist who finally diagnosed my underlying genetic condition, which was causing all the weird stuff in the first place, said firmly to me "This is absolutely nothing to do with your weight. You'd still have the same problems if you were 10 stone and a size 8". We agreed that it wasn't *helping* me to manage my condition, but that's a different thing entirely. Again, perception has a part to play. How many times are we interpreting "it may help you to manage your condition if you lost some weight" as "it's all your fault because you're fat" ?

I've not been a massive fan of the medical profession so far, simply because I was misdiagnosed and dismissed for so long, but even I think it's unfair to tar every medical professional with the same brush.

The bolded is an excellent distinction, which I think gets lost because weight and fat are such emotive issues.

[DottyG]

I'm not making that comment to cast aspersions or be rude.  I really have had bad experience with doctors the last few years.  That doesn't mean that all doctors are that way (and I apologize for making it sound like I meant it that way - my emotions on this sometimes get the better of me and that may come out in a way I didn't intend).  However, it is true that I've had some doctors that truly haven't given me the kind of treatment that I have been looking for.  I had one really bad experience about 2 years ago that really has colored my perception a lot (and it wasn't even a weight issue that did it - it was a different health issue).  She was probably the anomaly, but it still really hurt and made me leery of doctors going forward.  I'm having to work through that.

I do appreciate doctors and the training they have done.  And there are excellent doctors out there.  I really do apologize for extending my emotions of the one above to all of them.  That was absolutely wrong of me.

I'm trying to find a good general doctor now.  One that will work with me in my health and help me be the healthiest I can be.

[SlitherHiss]

The side discussion about whether doctors care about their patients reminds me of this old story: http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/traveltales.html#twotravelersandfarmer

In any case, sweeping generalizations are, if not rude, then certainly lazy thinking.

Thanks, Wordgeek! I was trying to figure out a way to say the same thing. That story is one of my favorites; a person's attitude/expectations can really influence what experiences they have

[DottyG]

Wordgeek has a good point.  And, again, I'm sorry.  I was wrong to say what I did.